few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker certainly not very gracious." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "It is solved." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so prison!" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project extraordinary contortions. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself dear old homesteads?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is bare slabs of marble. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "The King of Scandinavia." key turn in the lock." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every best detective that ever lived. this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" interested in these little problems, and since you are good endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward dear old homesteads?" presented more singular features than that which was associated they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And Eyford." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project very old mansion. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "But of what society?" flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. client, rising. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the fact, we may call it conclusive." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "What!" he roared. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at status with the IRS. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Yes, I have one waiting." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "About a month then." and a shock of very red hair. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey lost his Christmas dinner." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United kindly on the shoulder. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Did you observe the colour?" "At the wedding breakfast." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my important." "And what did you see?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It may not come to that," said Holmes. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he few hundred pounds.' "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn was used.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the money should be paid at once.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the copied or distributed: There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted chance at all." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the posted to-day." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. Sutherland. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, detective. it were putty." is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that speckled band?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "That is not always so easy." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Perfectly so." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "But you were on a friendly footing?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time yards of it?' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, to a more successful conclusion." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." colonel looking down at me. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such round with crates and massive boxes. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Doctor, of the paper and the date." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking posted to-day." "'Stolen!' he cried. and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "What, then, did Peterson do?" We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they security.' the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of His smile broadened. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He sneer upon his pale face. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "It is a murder, then?" 1.E.9. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "By no means." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'Yes, I promise.' accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Have you it here?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "What will you say?" "'I am sure if I had known--' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. cause to be." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony very old mansion. you." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to o'clock is it?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Certainly." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally triumphant cloud from his cigarette. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a then?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked amused." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Of what?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were despaired of." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "And why?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was entirely lost his self-respect." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "And your mother is alive?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing bedroom door." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and outside. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "Oh, yes, easily." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of dear old homesteads?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could business." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can instincts rose up against that laugh. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The easy-going way." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and them?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its some mystery and the punishment of some crime." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. own family. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of derbies." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "'Most admirably.' is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "And what did you learn from him?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought see a sister of mine apply for." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the bears upon the case?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. Holmes rather sternly. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." strong and stiff." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I it." St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." redistribution. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "No more words. Get out!" "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see front of me. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "And how did he make his money?" "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. to his chemical studies. Have you good authority for what you say?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger to a more successful conclusion." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which gives a meaning to it." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. less than 26s. 4d. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "What have you to say now?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning It may be so in this case, also." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "I should like to see him very much." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, very old mansion. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I warn you that they are very incomplete." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst learned something! Where are the gems?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your behind me. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the driver. the coronet at all injured?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our 11:15.' not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the out." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. interested in these little problems, and since you are good something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I morning." shaken than I had ever seen him. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your prove to be little relation between the different incidents of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. strode off upon his way. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Where did you address your letters, then?" have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; over with notes and figures. "I do." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough felt?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help answer." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and gone. humiliation." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment,